The tablet market is booming, and finding the right device for your needs can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the budget-friendly Realme Pad Mini and the feature-packed Xiaomi Pad 5. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Xiaomi Pad 5 is the clear winner overall, boasting a significantly more powerful processor, a brighter display, and faster charging. However, the Realme Pad Mini offers a more compact design and a lower price point, making it a compelling option for basic tasks and portability.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | N/A |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | N/A |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | - |
| EDGE | - | N/A |
| GPRS | - | N/A |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE - cellular model only | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | No cellular connectivity |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 04 | 2021, August 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 08 | Available. Released 2021, August 10 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 211.8 x 124.5 x 7.6 mm (8.34 x 4.90 x 0.30 in) | 254.7 x 166.3 x 6.9 mm (10.03 x 6.55 x 0.27 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM (cellular model only) | No |
| Weight | 372 g (13.12 oz) | 511 g (1.13 lb) |
| | - | Stylus support (magnetic) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 800 x 1340 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~179 ppi density) | 1600 x 2560 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~274 ppi density) |
| Size | 8.7 inches, 214.9 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 11.0 inches, 350.9 cm2 (~82.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MP1 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (4 speakers) |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS - cellular model only | No |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 33W wired, PD3.0 |
| Type | 6400 mAh | Li-Po 8720 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Green |
| Models | RMP2105, RMP2106 | 21051182G, 21051182C |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 350 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1271:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 473819 (v8), 555079 (v9)
GeekBench: 2583 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 24fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Pad Mini
- Compact and portable
- Affordable price
- Reverse wired charging
- Decent battery life for its size
- Underpowered processor
- Dim display
- Slow charging
- Limited storage options
Xiaomi Pad 5
- Powerful Snapdragon 860 processor
- Vibrant and bright display (120Hz)
- Fast charging (33W)
- Good camera quality
- Premium design
- Higher price
- Larger size may not be ideal for everyone
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi Pad 5 takes a commanding lead in the display department. Its 11-inch LCD boasts a 1271:1 contrast ratio and a measured 478 nits of brightness, offering vibrant colors and excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. The Realme Pad Mini's 8.7-inch display is adequate but lacks the same level of brightness and color accuracy. The Xiaomi Pad 5 also supports a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
While neither tablet excels in camera quality, the Xiaomi Pad 5 generally offers slightly better results. Both feature rear and front-facing cameras suitable for video calls and casual snapshots. Expect decent image quality in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance will be underwhelming on both devices. The Xiaomi Pad 5's camera app may offer slightly more features.
Performance
Performance is where the Xiaomi Pad 5 truly shines. The Snapdragon 860 chipset is significantly faster than the Unisoc Tiger T616 in the Realme Pad Mini. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a much better gaming experience. The Realme Pad Mini is fine for basic tasks like browsing and streaming, but it will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi Pad 5 has a larger battery capacity (8720 mAh) and supports 33W fast charging (PD3.0), allowing for quicker top-ups. The Realme Pad Mini's battery (5000 mAh) offers decent battery life for its size, but charging is slower with its 18W wired charging. Reverse wired charging is a nice addition on the Realme Pad Mini.
Buying Guide
The Realme Pad Mini is ideal for students, casual users, and those prioritizing portability and affordability. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is better suited for gamers, content creators, and anyone who demands a premium tablet experience with strong performance and a vibrant display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme Pad Mini good for gaming?
The Realme Pad Mini can handle basic games, but it will struggle with more demanding titles due to its underpowered processor. The Xiaomi Pad 5 is a much better choice for gaming.
❓ Which tablet has better battery life?
The Xiaomi Pad 5 generally offers better battery life due to its larger battery capacity and efficient processor. However, both tablets provide a full day of usage for moderate users.
